No one likes having a sick pet on their hand. Every dog owner's first instinct, when their pet is ill, is to seek help for them. Unfortunately, vets are expensive and even the most doting dog owner isn’t necessarily going to have the cash on hand to make an appointment. If you find yourself scrambling to formulate your own solutions to your pet’s maladies, CBD could be a potential answer.
What is CBD Oil?
CBD oil is an oil made by extracting a substance called cannabidiol from the cannabis plant. There are a number of compounds in the cannabis plant that plays a role in its medical and recreational effects, but the two most prominent, and pharmacologically significant, are THC and CBD.
THC is the compound that is responsible for the recreational effects of cannabis. THC is only found in very small quantities in male cannabis plants - known as hemp. It is the female plants that are grown to produce cannabis as a drug. The hemp plant is used for most industrial and medical applications of cannabis where THC is undesirable.
CBD is believed to mediate many of the medical benefits of the cannabis plant, in people as well as in animals.
Is it Legal?
Most of the CBD on the market today is extracted from male cannabis plants, which are legal even in most states that still don’t allow recreational cannabis use. The commercial hemp oil for dogs that you can buy is accepted as legal throughout the United States. However, be aware that CBD is technically illegal in a couple of states and if law enforcement wanted to make things difficult for you, possession of CBD could be an excuse.
What Does it Treat?
The effects of CBD are the same in both people and animals and it is used to treat the same conditions regardless of species. CBD has been gaining popularity as a non-addictive alternative to opioid-based painkillers. Patients with a need to manage their pain in the long-term are often currently forced to choose between strong and addictive painkillers or weak and ineffectual ones.
CBD has shown promise, both anecdotally and in scientific studies, as a treatment for certain types of pain. In particular, both neuropathic pain and arthritic pain appear to respond positively to CBD. If your dog is old and not as nimble as they once were, CBD can help to reduce the inflammation and pain that keeps them from living life to the full.
CBD is also a very powerful antiemetic; it can stop even the most aggressive nausea dead in its tracks. If your dog has been struggling to keep its food down or has lost its appetite because of new medication, CBD can be an effective remedy.
CBD is a very safe compound in both dogs and people. Because it is completely non-toxic and doesn’t have any documented serious interactions with other medications, you can give it to your dog without having to worry about its safety. Make sure you keep their water bowl topped up, as CBD can cause a dry mouth. Other than that, CBD is perfectly safe and legal to give to your dog.